Islamic group, JNI, wants security operatives punished over Nasarawa killings

Apex Muslim body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has called on the Federal Government to punish officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security operatives allegedly involved in the recent shelling of innocent citizens in Doma, Nasarawa State.

It also urged the government to investigate the incident to avert recurrence.

In a statement issued by Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, yesterday, JNI said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria should pay compensation to the bereaved families, for equity, justice and foreclosing of any possibility of vengeance or reprisal.”

It said government should “prosecute officials that are found wanting in the discharge of their assignments, to serve as deterrent to other nonchalant officials.”

JNI said: “This massacre calls for serious introspection, especially as the 2023 general election is fast approaching. For how long would we continue to wait in vain? How long shall we continue to condemn acts of terrorism without any concerted efforts at ending them? For how long would we continue to suffer hopelessness and despair, such as what we just witnessed in Doma?
“JNI is perplexed and very much concerned over the grisly incident in Doma and its environs. This dastardly act was carried out despite several concerted efforts at peaceful co-existence between the Tiv and Fulani, as well as other sedentary farmers in the area.
“Clearly, there seems to be premeditated sabotage from some quarters. Government should, therefore, thoroughly interrogate the events that culminated to the most unfortunate bloodletting in Doma.”

According to the group, “some sources claimed helicopters bombed the victims, while others said it was a horrific sporadic and coordinated attack from different angles on the victims; a very heart-rending and mind-boggling situation. But for how long shall innocent defenceless Nigerians continue to suffer cruel termination of their lives and utter destruction of their property?”

It added: “We, nonetheless, also call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, investigate all its security agencies, especially the Nigerian Air Force and fish out the perpetrators. Nigerians are desperately yearning for concrete actions.”